Objective:

To examine the effective factors on illness perception of patients before gynecological surgery.

Material and Methods:

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on 120 female patients who were admitted to Gynecological Clinic of Trakya University Medical Faculty Hospital for gynecologic surgery between August and December 2015. Patients filled out an information form consisting socio-demographic and illness characteristics, and Brief Illness Perception Scale (IPQ-B).

Results:

Mean age of patients was found 51.5±15.5. The treatment control (p=0.010), compliance (p<0.001) and total (p=0.022) scores of IPQ-B in patients who hadn’t information about illness were found significantly higher. The treatment control (p=0.010), compliance (p<0.001) and total (p=0.036) scores of IPQ-B in patients who uninformed in clinic about the illness were found significantly higher. Compliance subscale (p=0.005) in patients who uninformed about operation, compliance subscale (p=0.001) in patients who thought that giving knowledge was insufficient were found significantly higher. The results (p=0.044), anxiety (p<0.001), emotional representation (p=0.002) and total (p=0.004) scores of IPQ-B in patients who were anxious for postoperative period were found significantly higher.

Conclusion:

Preoperative adequate information of patients in clinic about illness and surgical procedure, and less anxiety for postoperative period are positively effective factors on illness perception.

Keywords: Surgical operation, illness perception, gynecology